Are People Really This Stupid? Issue No. 39 - NO GAY EATING HERE!

I don't even know where to begin with this.  What's next? Segregated bathrooms?  Hell, from New York to Chicago - there's gay high schools going up, because kids need a place to feel safe without being bullied and tortured.  Just recently laws in Kansas and Arizona were passed by Republican lawmakers who felt the need to discriminate gay patrons.  Lord help me if something similar happens in this state (Texas) and someone kicks me out of a restaurant.  Are people really this stupid???

by Haywood Bynum III

Proposed Jim Crow laws for gay people are already taking effect in Kansas.   38-year-old Johnny Quinns-Smith wanted to get an egg-salad sandwich for himself and his fiance, Erique Boltzman.  He went to his local diner outside Franton, near Scranton, a place where he and Boltzman had occasionally ate over the past 6 years.  In fact, it was at this diner that the two met during a lunch hour.

But today, Quinss-Smith encountered something he thought he would never see in his lifetime:  a sign.  A sign that said, “Service Refused To Gay Couples.”

“I was in absolute shock, I mean, I could not even fathom what was going on,” he said.  When he went into the restaurant, all went silent.  The locals looked at him, with several pointing and whispering.  Wiping out a cup, a server behind the restaurant’s main ordering station stared at him and then looked over at one of the newest signs next to the cash register.

“I looked at where several people’s eyes were tracking.  Then there it was, it was a sign that said ‘No Gay Eating Here’.”

Shock: “No Gay Eating Here”, Kansas bill allows businesses and government workers to refuse service to gay couples.

Not wanting to make a scene, Quinns-Smith quickly walked up to the stand where he had always been able to order his food.  The server who had taken his order and brought him his food for years stood there in front of him and asked, “How can we help?”
“What is wrong.  What is this sign meaning,” Quinns-Smith asked, feeling uncomfortable as eyes rested on him.

“It means you and your boyfriend can’t come eating in here no more, unless you find God,” a customer seated offered a response before staff said anything.
“You need to find God and the Bible,” someone else yelled out.  The floodgates were open.

“We don’t want your germs on the silverware.”  ”Just repent son, you can still be forgiven and be normal.”  ”Being gay is not natural.  It is not God’s way.”

Quinns-Smith ran from the restaurant, utterances from the customers making him absolutely horrified and uncomfortable.  When he closed the door behind him, he saw the sign boldly positioned on the front door, right above business hours, “Service Refused to Gay Couples.”  Quinns-Smith had not even noticed it when he walked in.

While he does not plan to return to the restaurant, Quinns-Smith is worried that so many people in town were so bold to talk him down about his lifestyle and that the restaurant was supporting their views, telling him he needs ‘Jesus and to read his Bible’ and to just ‘stop being gay.”

Related articles : Anti-Gay Jim Crow” Bill Gets Dangerously Close to Reality in Kansas Law

The Kansas House of Representatives recently passed a bill with a 73-49 vote that  allows government workers and businesses the right to refuse services to gay couples.  Fortunately, the bill lost traction in the Kansas Senate, but it is still alive and could become law in the state.   The story of this restaurant will become reality for more gay couples across the state, facing an unprecedented showing of ignorance that has unfortunately reached back from the turbulent 1960s and into our modern age of progress.

When Johnny Quinns-Smith hopped back into his car, his fiance was surprised. “Where’s our lunch?”
“I had to explain to him, that because we are a gay couple, some people already felt they had the right to deny us any service, and that included getting an egg salad sandwich so we could eat outside for lunch and enjoy a rarely warm winter’s day.”

This article originally appeared on the Topekasnews

Our Sweet, Gay Hearts Are Filled With The Colors of the Rainbow

To echo the Huffington Post: DING! DONG! DOMA IS DEAD!

But not just the Defense of Marriage Act, but the rights of Californians to marry their significant other was re-instated.  What a beautiful day it is!

No matter how you look at it, we will forever be part of history.  We move from this day forward to a brighter and more vibrant future than ever before. Where the colors of the rainbow will dwell in our hearts and souls for a lifetime.  Where we can live with another, gay or straight and be happy with the ones we love.  

Yes, my partner, Ryan and I live in the state of Texas, and as disappointed as we may be that gay marriage is not allowed in this state, today's rulings give us hope that it will come soon, very soon.  I love the state in which I was born and the city in which I live, and moving is not something I would ever contemplate of doing. But today is a big step forward for ALL Americans, as we are equal in the eyes of the Lord and this country.  God Bless us all!

To read more about today's history-making rulings, click on all the images on this post.

Get Your 2013 Orthodox Calendar Today!

I'm sure this is something you didn't expect to see so early in the morning; Orthodox Priests in a calendar spread.  Yeah, it's true.  I was reading about it over at WOW and apparently these priests thought it would be best "to strike a pose and openly stand for who they are underneath the priest’s clothing they wear: Regular people with passions, preferences, interests and desires." 

And before all of you straight people go crazy, shouting blasphemous words, because you're "Christian", these priests are more than likely not gay.  They did this in support of gay rights. "All are open-minded and believe that besides their passionate devotion to the Orthodox Church, it is important to be perceived as individuals committed to diversity and acceptance."  Yes, it's a little odd to do a homoerotic spread, but hey we'll take what we can get, right?  And we support our Advocates. :-)

From their website:

And this is what brings them closer to the rest of us. Starting today, anyone can discover our 12 seductive artistic pictures of Orthodox priests and their guests by simply ordering on-line. The price per piece is only EUR 10! Images are available directly from our Facebook account. But if you are curious to find out more, you can write to pr@orthodox-calendar.com or l.monroe@mac.com.”

Quoted - Andrew Garfield on Gay Marriage

Awww, Our Spidey in his "It Gets Better" T-shirt

“Of course I’m in favor of marriage equality. Same-sex couples should have the same rights as anybody else  - there is no argument against equality.... How can anyone argue against compassion and understanding?” 

 - Andrew Garfield aka Spiderman to The Times of London on same-sex couples right to marry.

What's Up With All Those Damn Red Equality Signs?

So in case you haven't noticed, your Facebook news feed is probably covered with Red Equality Signs.  That's because the Human Rights Campaign is encouraging you to stand up for marriage equality, as the Supreme Court will take up two cases involving Gay Marriage starting today.

And if your Facebook isn't lit up with all these red equality signs, its probably because you're one of my straight friends who doesn't hang out with too many homosexuals, but that's okay, because we love you all the same. :-)

The first arguments will be heard today involving the infamous Proposition 8 ruling in California where opponents of gay marriage managed to strip away the rights of all those couples who wanted to be recognized as an equal.  Tomorrow the court will hear the arguments involving the Defense of Marriage Act.

In short, if Proposition 8 is upheld (ruled unconstitutional), same-sex couples in California who were married, and want to marry will be legal.  

The Defense of Marriage Act is a whole 'nother story.... the decision here could legalize gay marriage nationwide, something most conservatives, Republicans, and Christians will go nuts over.

We should hopefully hear something before June, if not, sometime in July or August.  Stand up, wear your red and be proud.
 

The GOP 75

Yep, the GOP 75 stands for the number of Republicans who are changing their tune when it comes to Gay marriage.  Hmmm,  I wonder how many of their flock will leave them come election day.

Some of the REDs are coming out for the first time in support of us gays and others are reversing their previous stances on the issue.

Didn't I just say last week that if the REDs didn't change their attitude toward Gays and Latinos, they will never see the White House again?  I love it when I'm right.  Okay, I'll stop boasting.

Seriously speaking, its only 75 republicans, but there could be more signing on to this very important legal brief being submitted to the Supreme Court prior to the Proposition 8 case next month.

And for those who have no idea who's been winning this case for the gays from court to court, year after year - it is Theodore B. Olson, the former Solicitor General under former President George W. Bush, and David Boise, the lawyer who represented former Vice-President Al Gore in the 2000 Presidential election.  Remember the Bush v. Gore saga?  Mr. Olson presided over Bush in that case as well.

This just goes to show that over time people can learn.  Learn that one cannot judge or hate a certain group of people.  Ted grew to believe in the fundamental and constitutional right for same-sex marriage. 

Want to know more about the GOP 75?  Read the full article here

Gay Ads That Matter - Issue No. 010 - Respect For Marriage

"None of us would want to be told we can't marry the person we love".

While I was working out this morning, I saw a marriage equality ad on CNN that I hadn't seen before.  After doing some research, I learned The Respect for Marriage Coalition had just released a $1 million dollar ad campaign featuring prominent Republican politicians.

The 30-second ad uses clips from various news networks where the former First Lady Laura Bush, former Vice-President Dick Cheney, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell each voiced their support for marriage equality in the past.  The ad ends with President Obama's inauguration clip in support of "our gay brothers and sisters."

If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here...

Worldwide Homophobia

This chart is really fascinating.  Not in the sense that I'm glad America isn't in that horrible, deep-pink and purple category, but glad that our country has come a long way.  Sure we have thousands, if not millions of people who continue to hate us - like that ignorant school teacher in the news lately.  But to think that Ryan and I could be incarcerated, or better yet, put to death in all those countries is mind-boggling to me.  It's crazy!!! 

So if you're thinking of taking a trip to any of those places - good luck.

click to enlarge

Quoted - The Jim Henson Company on Diversity & Quitting Chic-Fil-A

Mother of the Year X 2

Why have I bestowed Krista Tillman "Mother of the Year times 2"?  Because she understands what most ignorant people don't, that people are going to leave your cities.  And because she's a loving, doting mother to a son who happens to be gay.  But it isn't just the fact that she's an understanding mother.  She's a dean of a college in North Carolina, and knows what she's talking about.  If these REDs keep going to the extreme far right on their issues, they will never understand the economic impact that will hinder their states in the future.

You may think that Texas is a Republican state, but it's only Republican because we have all those small tiny towns all over the state who hate everyone who's not white.  Little do they know, people have been leaving their small towns and relocating to cities that are more accepting - like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.  Watch this short 3 minute video - it's good.

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The Wedding Dance

If you haven't had your coffee this morning, go grab a cup, and come back to watch this short film.  It was absolutely amazing.  I have been wanting to share this video since it was released last month, but I needed to find the right time.  And today's the perfect day.  So, even if you don't drink coffee I hope you enjoy today's Saturday Morning Coffee Break.  Oh, and grab your tissue box too.

On Valentine's Day last month, Elliot London, a 31-yr old director trying to make it in Hollywood, released this three-minute film titled, "The Wedding Dance".  It has a surprise ending and truly hits close to home for so many Gay Americans.  You can read more about Elliot on his Vimeo page and learn more about his dreams and aspirations to help the LGBT community.  Learn about his growing up poor, being an only child, and terrified of the day when his fellow classmates would find out his deepest, darkest secret - that he was gay.

I'm here wishing you great success Elliot, and hope your dreams come true. ~ Peter aka Blade7184

If you wish to look back at some previous issues, click my logo below and enjoy.  Make sure to check out Saturday Morning Coffee Break every Saturday for another classic or current gay short film.

Credits for Elliot London's short film, The Wedding Dance are after the jump.  Feel free to visit the links he has provided or you can visit his YouTube page for this information as well.

"To My Unborn Child... I'll put a bullet in your damn skull" (if you turn out gay)

This hate talk comes from a parent or an idiot who wants to be a parent.  Everyone knows that Twitter is the place to be nowadays, and sometimes things can get a little personal, sometimes a little too personal.  "To My Unborn Child" has become a recent topic of discussion on Twitter.  Unfortunately, it turned into a disgusting ranting space for anti-gay bigots. 

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The Twitter account @Homophobes (which retweets public homophobic tweets to its 4,500 followers) created a post at Storify (a site where users can bundle tweets onto one page and add commentary to create a story) to document over 100 tweets of mostly young men and women saying they would murder their future child if he or she was gay. [source]

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I honestly don't know where to being with this to tell you the truth.  All I know is that this is who you're voting for, remember that.  Yes, I'm bringing politics into this, and for those who think that this has nothing to do with it, it most certainly does.  When you have candidates running for President who want to strip you of your dignity and your life, politics are involved.  When you have a candidate running for President who says he will stop at nothing to have every gay right overturned, you might as well put a bullet in our heads.  But you know what, why don't we just turn back the hands of time and be like Iran and parts of Africa and start killing our gay children. These imbeciles/parents don't seem to mind it.  Hell, one goes so far as to say "To My Unborn Child, I will kill you if you turn gay, (I support the gays, but will never be one, neither nor my unborn baby)."

Let me put it to you in simple terms, voting for the REDs says you are supporting their causes, and until you realize this, you are fighting against everything your cousin, brother, sister, friend, co-worker, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, grandson, grandaughter - the list goes on.  You are fighting against everything they have accomplished, and are still trying to.  All we want is equal rights for everyone, and the right to love who we want.  I know what you're going to say, "Oh, I can be a RED and not support everything they stand for."  Yeah, and I can say the same thing too, "I can vote for a Democrat and not support everything they do."  Only difference is, they are not trying to take away your rights and your freedoms.  If you vote for a RED - you are supporting them, you are giving them the key to the White House, which will eventually take away the rights from the people you love.

This blog post may have sounded repetitive, but I don't care, I need to make it clear to you people.  And don't even start saying you're Christian if you're tweeting shit like this.  Hell, if you're thinking or wishing it, you're just as guilty.

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The Defenders

How would you feel if someone put your marriage up for a vote?

Time go grab your cup of java and enjoy today's Saturday Morning Coffee Break. 

Today's short film is another great piece of work from Keith Hartman.  You may remember him from my blog on February 11th, titled "The License".  The film was amazing - if you haven't seen it make sure you check it out.

"The Defenders" in much the same way as "The License" is too close to reality to be funny.  It actually sends a highly effective message on the hypocrisy of those who would deny equal rights to men and women who want to get married, no matter who they are. You have to remember, "knee-jerk" reactions are the province of frightened and uninformed people. I believe that any heart can be softened with the right touch, and that we must counter the fear tactics being employed by proponents of those who wish to rob us of our future. 

This short, three minute film proves that none of us are immune to discrimination which is often taken to an ugly extreme. We are all the same--gay, straight, bi, parents, children, brothers, sisters, and spouses. Our blood runs red, and our eyes weep tears. We are everyone. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This is a definite must watch!

If you wish to look back at some previous issues, click my logo below and enjoy.  And make sure to check out Saturday Morning Coffee Break every Saturday for another classic or current gay short film.

Just Sayn'

Family Research Council vs. Family Equality Council

Absolutely awesome chart on what really constitutes Family Values for the two conservative and gay rights councils courtesy of Lapham's Quarterly.  Look at the striking difference between these two.  One council truly shows you the true meaning of love and family, while the other dictates what it should be.

click to enlarge

Just how different are the conservative Family Research Council and the liberal Family Equality Council? Let’s go to the chart. - From our current issue “The Family”

I Want To Know What It's Like

These outstanding men and women want to know what it's like to feel wanted, loved, and accepted.  And quite frankly so do I.  What is it like to feel like I belong, to feel like I'm strong, that who I am isn't wrong?  What is it like to not feel like a freak, weak, or to be silenced when I speak?  These are the words echoed throughout this short film by Ryan James Yezak.  And what an amazing film it is.

Yezak has released a series of inspiring short films over the last few weeks in reference to his new documentary "Second Class Citizens" and his latest film below is no exception.  Each of these films leaves the viewer with an overwhelming feeling, that we as Americans deserve to be heard, deserve to love who we love, that we matter in a country that doesn't give equal protection under the law.  Thank you Ryan! I will continue to blog about your wonderful work so long as I live.

If you wish to support Ryan and his efforts to produce Second Class Citizens please find out how after the jump...

10 Members of Congress Pose for NOH8 Campaign

The NOH8 Campaign focused its camera on the nation’s capitol earlier this month, with 10 members of Congress donning white to pose for “NOH8 on the Hill."

The members of Congress who participated represent the District of Columbia, California, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio, including Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the former Democratic presidential candidate who encouraged the photo campaign's venture to Capitol Hill and was the first to sit for the shoot.

"Our nation was founded upon the principle of equality,” he said in a statement released with his photo. “It is imperative that we work for equal rights for all in order to make that principle a reality. Love isn't gay or straight, tall or short, black or white; it is for everyone."

All of the 10 lawmakers photographed were Democrats, and although the shoot was open to any member of Congress, no Republicans chose to participate. Among the pictures is one member of the LGBT caucus. On the following pages, see all of the photos and the lawmakers' accompanying statements about why they chose to pose.  [The Advocate, NOH8 Campaign]

"On the same week that Maryland and Washington stepped up for marriage equality, I stood with NOH8 in solidarity with those who are fighting Prop 8 in California. Gay and lesbian Americans are part of the fabric that makes this country strong. The notion that we could ask these men and women to do everything from paying taxes to serving our country in uniform while denying them the right to marry is offensive to everything I believe in as a public servant. I won’t stop working for equal rights in Congress until they have been extended to every American."
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer

"The reason why I support the NOH8 Campaign is simple: our country rests on the principle that all people are equal, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. If we deny that fact then we are no longer the Land of the Free. The most important freedom is the freedom to be the person you truly are and embrace the life you want to live. It’s my hope that LGBT youth across the country and in Massachusetts feel our encouragement and support. They are not alone. I stand firmly behind them, and the important message that NOH8 is spreading."  
- Rep. William Keating

"I’m proud to join over 20,000 participants who’ve posed in NOH8 photos depicting the silencing of equality by California’s Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world.   These pictures speak volumes about the will of the American people to be treated the same, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation." 
- Rep. Judy Chu

"Hate does not belong in our communities, families, schools, the workplace and certainly not in our government.” 
- Rep. Barbara Lee

Check out the other five members and their statements after the jump.

If You're a Republican, This Woman is Who You Should Aspire To Be

I must have seen this video a hundred times already, at least it feels like I have..   I watch and listen to the words this honorable Republican had to say, because yes, there are honorable ones believe it or not, and it brings me to tears each and every time.  Maureen Walsh was married to the same man for 23 years and she loved him more than anything, but it was what she said to her fellow Republicans and Democrats about her life, that makes this unmistakably the "video of the year" so far.

It's taken me a while to blog about this, because my life with Ryan is so damn important to me.  My life, not yours.  I mean, what is it going to take for you zealots to realize that Jesus, The Father, and The Holy Spirit will "judge" you for the hateful, judgmental and condemning group of people that's ever existed on this planet?  Please watch this, and convince me you can be a Republican with a heart and a conscience.

Saturday Morning Coffee Break: The License

"Now, did you bring your own rocks or did you need one of ours?  There'll be a small service charge for that."

At the end of the short film you're about to see, it asks, "Love, Trust, and Equality, shouldn't these be our traditions?"  And that's absolutely true!  Seeing the couples at the end of the video made me cry, and I'll tell you why.  

Because every moment I saw those couples embrace, or kiss, you could see how much they loved each other in the same way I love my dear Ryan.  We are all loving people.  Why can't love conquer all? 

The short film, written and directed by Keith Hartman from Los Angeles, California was filmed shortly after California banned same sex marriage in 2009, and it's a very poignant film.  It's about a straight couple who wishes to get married, and find out their relationship isn’t as "traditional" as they thought when they go in to get a marriage license.

You'll enjoy it, I assure you - it's a definite must watch!

As The World Turns

You just can't debate with crazy, or practically anyone anymore. The world is changing for the better, but some people just can't accept that. All they have left to hold on to are their beliefs.  When those once common ideas are now considered out-dated, irrational and even hateful, and can be proven justly so, people get angry, desperate, and will fight to the very end to protect an ideology that they hold sacred. 

It's an unfortunate sign of the most conservative parts of the Republican party. Never give up, never surrender, never admit you're wrong, just keep screaming nonsense until you drown out your opponent and every last one of his facts.

Well I have a few facts to share myself - Gay people can get married without the sky falling or your family being affected in anyway, shape or form aside from the possibility of them not sharing your homophobic hate. Black people can be in charge of a country that once considered them property. 

conservative poster hating liberals

Being a Liberal is not the same thing as being weak. Trust me. We fight against income inequality in the Occupy Movement. We fight for the right to unionize in Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and any other states controlled by a Republican majority that wishes for it to be a "right to work" state. We fight for the health of our women when conservative wolves in pink sheep's clothing attempt to break down Planned Parenthood. And we fight for our right to marry the person we love to not only receive the same benefits that everyone else gets, but to also simply show that we are no different from any straight couple and hence should not be treated differently as such. 

California is another footstep in the marathon that is the fight for marriage equality and gay rights everywhere. We will continue fighting. We are not weak. We are stronger than ever and we will fight for Obama this year and we will win. We must. This country needs to show the world that we stand for common sense, compassion and an ability to inspire hope in others by getting back up after being knocked down hard. Screaming at the top of your lungs until you can't hear the facts just won't do for this country of ours, and neither will defeat, hatred, or the desire to divide.

We can come together to make sure our country continues to succeed and head in its' current, correct direction. We can vote for Obama 2012, because hope is nothing without people to believe in it and change is impossible without people to fight for it. 

- Ryan Joseph Lopez (Blade 7184 blogger) in reference to Miley Cyrus' marriage equality tattoo